By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica

Global Markets

• Asia stocks at 7-mth highs after Wall Street cracks more records
• MSCI ex-Japan at highest since late January
• Australia, South Korea lead gains; Chinese shares in red
• Dollar at 27-mth low on easy monetary policy
• Fed meeting minutes awaited
• Brent down 26 cents at $45.20, Gold back above $2,000

Oil Markets

• Oil prices skid as concerns over US demand recovery seep through market
• API says US crude stocks fall 4.3 mln bbls, more than forecast
• OPEC+ ministerial panel meets later to review compliance on output cuts
• Brent down 0.8% at $45.08 a barrel (0029GMT)
• WTI down 0.6% at $42.64

Precious metals

• Gold inches higher as dollar extends fall; focus on Fed minutes
• Spot gold up 0.1% at $2,002.12/oz. (0029GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.1% at $2,011.60/oz.

Grains

• Corn eases as US crop tour forecasts above-average yields
• Corn futures down 0.7% at $3.39-1/4 a bushel (0250GMT)
• Soybeans down 0.3% at $9.11 a bushel
• Wheat up 0.5% at $5.20 a bushel

Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handles @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica]

• Bank of Zambia decides interest rates [fcst. 9.25%, prev. 9.25%]
• Bank of Namibia decides interest rates [fcst. 3.75%, prev. 4.0%]
• OPEC+ ministers meet
• Kenya auctions 11-year infrastructure bond
• Ghana presidential frontrunners Akufo-Addo & Mahama tour regions
• South Africa state capture inquiry continues
• Kenya Senate adhoc committee meets on revenue allocation impasse; after passage failure for umpteenth time
• Kenya’s Kenyatta cabinet reshuffle back in focus; after cabinet et al. sent on compulsory leave
• Key African countries on lockdown or restricted; subdued economic activity
• Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent

Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today

• Mali president resigns after detention by military, deepening crisis
• West Africa regional bloc closes borders with Mali after president detained
• Sudan ‘astonished’ at spokesman’s remarks about ‘contacts’ with Israel
• UN chief calls for immediate release of Mali president, others
• Mauritius arrests captain of stricken Japan oil tanker
• Plaintiffs in Sierra Leone diamond mine lawsuit request freeze of Steinmetz subisidiary’s assets
• Egypt passes law shielding sex crime victims’ identities
• Algeria to allow private banks, airlines, sea transport firms
• Mali protest movement seays detention of president “not a military coup”
• Mali state television channel goes offline after president detained
• Mali PM also detained by mutinying soldiers, African Union condemns
• Zimbabwe shortens coronavirus curfew, extends business hours
• South Africa smokers empty shops of cigarettes after ban lifted
• Sudan confirms ‘contacts’ with Israel, says UAE move is ‘brave’
• Faction of DR Congo rebel group surrenders after internal revolt
• France condemns mutiny in Mali – foreign minister
• Ethiopia PM fires defence minister, a one-time ally, in major reshuffle
• Dozens of Kenya doctors strike over lack of PPE, delayed pay
• Nigeria’s long-awaited oil reform bill to go to president – sources
• Ivanhoe Mines & China’s CNMC announce Africa partnership
• Namibia warns about elephant dung cure for coronavirus as cases rise
• Sudan, major rebel group sign deal to integrate rebels into army
• Egypt bank Beltone diversifies in hunt for profitability
• From Africa to America, businesses and insures face survival showdowns
• Overfishing in Congo threatens endangered sharks, report warns
• Mauritius oil clean-up team turns focus from sea to mangroves

N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters